Unlocking Your Unique Strengths: The Science Behind Character and Virtue
Did you know that your character strengths make you truly one of a kind? Across cultures and throughout history, six core virtues – Courage, Justice, Humanity, Temperance, Transcendence, and Wisdom – have consistently shaped how we define human goodness.
These virtues, expressed through a vast array of character strengths, create personality profiles more unique than the number of people on Earth.
Understanding your own strengths can be a game-changer for personal growth, relationships, and professional and workplace success. Discover yours today by taking the scientifically validated, FREE VIA Character Strengths Survey.
Once you’ve completed The Survey, read on as we categorise your Character Strengths into the Virtue domains below.
Harnessing Strengths for Lasting Well-Being
Understanding your unique character strengths isn’t just an interesting insight – it’s a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Positive psychology practitioners use this knowledge to help individuals and organisations unlock their potential, enhance mental fitness, and build long-term well-being.
Unlike traditional psychology, which often focuses on treating distress and disorder, positive psychology shifts the focus toward thriving. As Christopher Peterson (2000) put it, strengths allow us to “break through the zero point”—moving beyond merely coping to actively improving our quality of life.
So, can a deeper understanding of your strengths truly help you evolve toward your highest potential?
From our experience… YES!
Now, let’s jump in and explore the Six Core Virtues – and the Character Strengths that bring them to life!
1. Wisdom & Knowledge – The Power of Learning
This virtue is about acquiring and applying knowledge for a fulfilling life.
Creativity – Generating original and useful ideas.
Curiosity – Seeking new experiences and knowledge.
Open-Mindedness – Weighing different perspectives thoughtfully.
Love of Learning – Finding joy in gaining new skills and insights.
Perspective – Applying wisdom to make sense of life’s complexities.
2. Courage – Strength in Action
Courageous individuals persist despite fear or adversity.
Bravery – Acting despite fear to achieve a meaningful goal.
Persistence – Overcoming setbacks to stay committed.
Integrity – Staying true to values and taking responsibility.
Vitality – Bringing energy and enthusiasm to life.
3. Humanity – The Strength of Connection
This virtue involves forming deep, caring relationships.
Love – Cultivating meaningful and affectionate connections.
Kindness – Helping others selflessly.
Social Intelligence – Understanding emotions in yourself and others.
4. Justice – Strengths That Serve the Greater Good
Justice-oriented strengths promote fairness and leadership.
Citizenship – Being a responsible, engaged community member.
Fairness – Treating others equitably and justly.
Leadership – Inspiring and guiding groups effectively.
5. Temperance – Self-Control for a Balanced Life
Temperance strengths help regulate emotions and behavior.
Forgiveness & Mercy – Letting go of grudges and resentment.
Humility – Recognizing strengths and limitations without arrogance.
Prudence – Making thoughtful, long-term decisions.
Self-Regulation – Managing impulses to align with values and goals.
6. Transcendence – Finding Meaning Beyond Yourself
Transcendence strengths connect individuals to a greater purpose.
Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence – Recognizing and admiring excellence in life.
Gratitude – Feeling and expressing thankfulness.
Hope – Maintaining optimism for the future.
Humor – Bringing joy and laughter to yourself and others.
Spirituality – Finding meaning through faith, values, or purpose.
By understanding and applying these strengths, you can cultivate resilience, enhance well-being, and thrive in all aspects of life. Discover your unique strengths today with the VIA Character Strengths Survey.
Strengths in Action: The Power of Virtue Spotting
Now that you understand the six core virtues and their associated strengths, the next step is learning to recognize them in action. A great way to do this is through virtue spotting—a practice that helps you develop a deeper appreciation for how strengths shape thoughts, behaviours, and decision-making.
One simple method is to identify role models who embody specific virtues. For example: the late Steve Jobs is often associated with the virtues of Wisdom & Knowledge and Courage, demonstrated through his relentless innovation and bold leadership. You can also strengthen your awareness by asking yourself: What would a person with the virtue of Humanity do in this situation?
Want to put this into practice? Try virtue spotting in movies or TV shows. As you watch, look for character strengths in action—perhaps a protagonist displays Perseverance (a strength of Courage) or Kindness (a strength of Humanity). The more you train your mind to recognize strengths in others, the easier it becomes to harness your own.
Give it a go and see what you discover!
Unlock Your Potential with Character Strengths
We hope this article has given you valuable insights into how to harness your Character Strengths and Virtues to enhance self-awareness, mental fitness, and overall life satisfaction. By better understanding and applying your strengths effectively, you can create positive change in both your personal and professional life.
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